Study Site Trials
The SICS selected for trialling in this Study Site are described below:
General Treatment Category | Study Site Trials |
Tillage, cover crops, amendments |
1.Organic soil amendments in wheat fields - mineral fertilization, solid pig manure, VFG compost, wood chips and pig manure + lava grit |
2.Soil cultivation and soil cover in maize - strip till in living rye cover crop; Strip till in destroyed rye cover crop; Undersowing grass; Non inversion tillage; Control- normal ploughing |
SICS 1 :- Organic soil amendments in wheat fields - mineral fertilization, solid pig manure, compost, wood chips and pig manure + lava grit |
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Read this fact sheet in Dutch here |
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Key findings on woodchips
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SICS 2 :- Soil cultivation and soil cover in maize - strip till in living rye cover crop; Strip till in destroyed rye cover crop; Undersowing grass; Non inversion tillage; Control- normal ploughing |
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Read this fact sheet in Dutch here |
Key findings for strip tillage in maize and grass undersowing in maizeStrip tillage in maize:
Grass undersowing in maize:
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Geographical description
The study site is situated in the East of Leuven (indicated as blue area) at an elevation varying between 20 and 100 masl. It includes the communities of Leuven, Holsbeek, Lubbeek, Boutersem, Bierbeek and Lovenjoel. The Bodemkundige Dienst van België is situated at the Western border of the study site, while the Zoötechnisch Centrum lies within the study site. On the map the long-term (since 1997) compost trial (in green), as well as some of the long-term (since 2002) trials on reduced tillage (in purple) are indicated. The study site is indicated in blue.
The maritime temperate climate in Flanders is characterised by significant precipitation in all seasons (no dry season),fresh/humid summers and relatively mild/rainy winters (according to the Köppen climate classification:Cfb). The average annual temperature is 10.5°C (3.3 in January and 18.4 in July), while the average minimal temperature is 6.9°C and the average maximal temperature is 14.2°C.The average annual rainfall is 852.4 mm. The study site is characterized by sandy, sandy loam and loamy soils. At parcel level also a variation in soil erosion potential is present in the study site.
Cropping systems
Cropping intensity
The study site is characterised mainly by conventional cropping systems. However, also conservation cropping systems (e.g. reduced tillage) and to a smaller extent organic cropping systems are present. In general in Flanders, crop production is highly intensive (high inputs, high yields).Types of crop
Mainly cereals, sugar beet, potato, maize, grass, apple and pear orchards. Management of soil, water, nutrients and pests
Multi-actor approach
Relevant end-users and stakeholders
Farmers, farmers associations (like Boerenbond and Algemeen Boeren Syndicaat), governmental extension services (ADLO in Flanders), policy makers like VLM (Flemish Land Agency), LNE (the Environment, Nature and Energy Department of the Flemish Government), but also other stakeholders of the rural area, e.g. inhabitants, tourists.
Map indicating the different agricultural regions present in de study site. From light to dark colour, Flemish sand region, Sandy loam region and Loam region |
Map indicating the potential soil erosion at parcel level. Green: soil erosion potential is very low, yellow: soil erosion potential is low, orange: soil erosion potential is medium, red: soil erosion potential is high and purple: soil erosion potential is very high |